Some key stats regarding Super Bowl implications entering the ‘final four weekend’ in the NFL…

If the Patriots win Sunday, they’ll have participated in 18 percent of all of the Super Bowls ever played. That’s nine out of 50, one more than Pittsburgh and Dallas.

If the Broncos win, they’ll join New England with eight Super Bowl appearances. Those teams would be tied for first place with the Steelers and Cowboys.

The Panthers and Cardinals are looking for a shot to become the 20th franchise ever to win a Super Bowl. Right now, they’re two of nine franchises that have been to at least one Super Bowl without ever winning one.

Tom Brady is looking to become the first-ever player to participate in seven Super Bowls. He’d move ahead of Mike Lodish, who went to four with Buffalo and two with Denver. If the Patriots win, Brady will have gone to the Super Bowl in exactly half of his 14 seasons as the New England starter.

Bill Belichick is looking to become the first-ever head coach to make seven Super Bowls. He’d surpass Don Shula, who went to six with Baltimore and Miami. Belichick could also become the sixth coach to lose three and Brady could become the third quarterback to do the same.

If the Cardinals win, we’ll have the oldest quarterback matchup in Super Bowl history. Carson Palmer (36) and Brady (38) would be a combined 74, while Palmer and the 39-year-old Peyton Manning would be a combined 75. Either would beat out Johnny Unitas and Earl Morrall, who were a combined 73 years of age when they met in Super Bowl V.

About Brad Gagnon

Brad Gagnon has been passionate about both sports and mass media since he was in diapers -- a passion that won't die until he's in them again. Based in Toronto, he's worked as a national NFL blog editor at theScore.com, a producer and writer at theScore Television Network and a host, reporter and play-by-play voice at Rogers TV. His work has also appeared at CBSSports.com, Deadspin, FoxSports.com, The Guardian, The Hockey News and elsewhere at Comeback Media, but his day gig has him covering the NFL nationally for Bleacher Report.